Exit to Eden: From Erotica to Buffoonery

How Anne Rice Erotica Turned into a Movie featuringRosie O'Donnell in A Leather BDSM Suit

Once upon a time, there was a best-selling author, who had yet to hit it big, who liked to write dirty novels--er, that is, erotica.

In 1985, she turned out one such novel under the pen name of Anne Rampling: Exit to Eden.

The plot, such as it is summarized below.

Lisa Kelly manages an isolated BDSM resort called The Club that offers its high-end clients an exclusive setting in which they can experience the life of a Master or Mistress.

Prospective sex slaves, paid at the end of their term at Eden (which varies from six months to two years), are presented at auctions by the most respected Trainers from across the world. As Head Female Trainer and co-founder Kelly gets first pick of the new slaves, and chooses Elliot Slater -- with whom she shares an immediate and undeniable chemistry that intensifies throughout their time together, eventually resulting in love.

So, with a kinky BDSM plot and her knack for soft-core, Anne Rice completed Exit to Eden.

What happened to her book when it became a movie still probably gives Rice--the author of the Vampire Chronicles and other horror stories--nightmares.

As with any media property, the promise of a motion picture from a now-best-selling author attracted the film industry.

The film adaptation in 1994 differed greatly from the book, with a new major story line and several new characters added.

The film partially utilized the story of the book, with Dana Delany playing Lisa Emerson (Lisa Kelly in the book), and Paul Mercurio playing Elliot Slater. However, half of the film consisted of a new comedic detective story line written by the director.

Several new characters were created, including Dan Aykroyd and Rosie O'Donnell as police officers pursuing diamond thieves to the Eden resort. These characters then start to explore BDSM as well. New dialogue and scenes for the original characters were written to include them in the new story line.

So after a brilliant idea--let the director rewrite erotica into a police comedy featuring Rosie O'Donnell in leather.

Brilliant beyond belief.

Beyond Anne Rice and her fans' belief, anyway.

The book was interesting.

However, the interest in seeing Rosie O'Donnell "start to explore BDSM" put a damper on the film's theatrical take.